Window washing apparatus



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3 Nu g www www swmw gm Qww United States Patent 3,461,476 WINDOW WASHING APPARATUS John North, 5530 S. Shore Drive, Chicago, Ill. 60637 Filed June 23, 1967, Ser. No. 648,260

Int. Cl. B60s 1/02; A471 1/04, 1/02 U.S. Cl. 250.04 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF DISCLOSURE A window washing apparatus including a window casement formed of a plurality of channels, one of which receives a window washing element to hide the same from View and two others of which mount and hide from view a drive means for moving the washing element alongv a window together with a portable cart mounting a motor and a washing liquid supply tank that are adapted to be releasably connected to the drive means and the washing element respectively to cause the washing element to wash the window and which then may be disconnected and moved on to other windows for washing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many proposals have been made for devices that accomplish the washing of windows in buildings without requiring a man to manually wash the outside of the window from a position exteriorly of the building. In general, such devices have failed to provoke much enthusiasm with architects and engineers in that they are awkward and may require a man to position himself externally of the building to set up the window washing apparatus. Similarly, some such proposals utilize extremely bulky and unsightly devices which, if permanently mounted, are exposed to view even when not in use. Finally, many such proposed devices are so complex that it is economically impractical to permanently mount a washing device on each window in a building.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved window washing apparatus.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and improved window washing apparatus pensing means.

the brush and the squeegee, means mounting the element for reciprocal movement relative to the window; means pivotally connecting the element to the mountingmeans for limited pivotal movement between a first position wherein the brush alone will contact the window and a second position wherein both the brush and the squeegee will contact the window and means operative at the end of a traverse of the window by. the element for'pivoting the same from one position to the other position.

A further object is a window washing apparatus such as that set forth in the preceding paragraph additionally including a wheeled cart supporting a motor and a liquid supply tank, flexible shafts having releasable drive couplings connected to the motor and connectable to the mounting means to drive the same and a flexible conduit communicating with the supply tank and the liquid dis- A still further object is the provision of a window having a permanently mounted window washing apparatus including a four-sided window pane, a pair of first channels on opposite sides of the pane, the channels each being arranged to provide a narrow opening along the length of the pane communicating with the interior of the respective first channel, a second channel opening along another side of the pane, reciprocal drive means mounted in each of the first channels and including a movable bracket having a portion extending through the corresponding one of the openings, an elongated window washing element sized to be wholly received within the second channel and movable therefrom to wash the pane and means mounting the element between the two brackets.

Yet another object is a window and window washer such as that set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the bracket includes means for biasing the element towards the pane and cam means located in the second channel for camming the element away from the pane when the element enters the second channel to preclude washing means on the element from being damaged by contact with portions of the easement other than the pane.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with that may be permanently mounted within a window casement and which will not be exposed to view when not in use. i

Another object is the provision of a new and improved window washing apparatus that is constructedof a minimum of parts and which, therefore, is susceptible to per; manent installation on a window and yet will not be prohibitively expensive. Another object is the provision of a window washing apparatus such as that set forth'in the preceding para graphs including a window washing element that is adapted to be wholly received in a portion of a windowcas'ement, drive means for the element located wholly within the window casement, a portable base mountingamotor and a liquid supply tank, flexible drive shafts for connecting the motor to the drive means for the element and a flexible conduit for connecting the tank to a liquid dispensing means on the washing element, the conduit and the flexi-. ble shafts being readily releasable from the elements to which they may be attached so that the portable base may be moved. from window to window whereby a single motor anda singlesupply of cleaning fluid may beusedto clean a plurality of windows. 7

Yet another object is the provision of a window washing apparatus including an elongated element; mounting. a brush, a squeegee and a liquid dispensing means between the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the interior of a building having a window with which an exemplary embodiment of the invention is used;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a cart forming part of the window washing apparatus with parts thereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a cleaning water supply tank mounted on the cart;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation of a windowcasement utiliz ing a window washer made according to the invention as it would appear from the exterior of the building;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section taken approximately along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation of the window casement as it would appear from the interior of the building;

H FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal section taken approximately along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. '8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken approximately along the line 88 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section taken approximately along the line. 9-9 of FIG. 6;

r FIG. 10 is a vertical section showing the window washing means at one point in a-washing cycle; I

' means;

FIG. 13 is a horizontal section taken approximately along the line 13--13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a horizontal section taken approximately along the line 1414 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary vertical section taken approximately along the line 15-15 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical section taken approximately along the line 1616 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustrating the configuration of the window washing means when the latter is traversing the window in one direction; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic illustrating an arrangement of a portion of the window washing means when the latter is traversing a window in the opposite direction.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION The instant invention contemplates a window washing device wherein a window washing means is permanently mounted on the casement of a window of a building to be hidden from viewwhen not in use and which, when in use, will thoroughly clean the exterior surface of the Window. A brush and squeegee structure is normally hidden in the lower horizontal section of the window casement and in thevertical sections of the casement, moving means for the brush and squeegee are provided. Additionally, conduit means are associated with the brush and squeegee for applying cleaning fluids such as water and detergent solution to the window.

Initially, when the brush and squeegee arrangement is disposed for operation, cleaning solution will be applied to the window and the brush and squeegee will be moved upwardly on the window with the brush in engagement with the window to clean the same. When the brush and squeegee have reached the upper extremity of the window, the direction of movement will be reversed and the squeegee will be brought into contact with the window. At the same time the brush will remain in contact with the window so that the brush will be in contact with the window to further clean the same while the squeegee will be in contact with the window to remove water therefrom.

A prime mover for the drive means within the window casement is provided in the form of a motor on a cart which may be moved Within the interior of the building to a point adjacent the window. By means of flexible shafts the motor may be connected to the drive means to reciprocate the brush and squeegee. The cart also mounts a pair of tanks. One tank contains the window washing solution to be conveyed to the applicator associated with the brush and squeegee and, the other tank is connected to .receivedirty water trickling from the window and cleaned therefrom by action of the squeegee.

When the prime mover and the tanks .on the cart are properly associated with the window, the apparatus may be put in action and the exterior of the window will be cleaned. Simultaneously.therewith, the operator may be cleaning the interior surface of the window. When both cleaning operations have been completed, the prime mover and the tanks may be disassociated from the window and the cart pushed on to the next window whereupon the operation is repeated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Environment An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 within the interior of a building having a floor 30, an interior wall 32, and a window casement generally designated 34 inthe wall 32. As will be pointed out in greaterdetail hereinafter, the window'34 includes, as a permanent part of its casement; amovable washing means, generally designated 36, which is adapted to traverse and clean the exterior of the window 34 in a single up and down cycle.

c Cart A reversible motor 38 for driving the washing means 36' is mounted on a cart, generally designated 40, having wheels 42 which may easily be moved within the building from room to room and from window to window. The cart 40 also includes tanks, generally designated 44, for containing both a washing solution and dirty water used in washing the window 34-. Finally, the cart 40 additionally mounts a control panel, generally designated 46, for controlling the operation of the entire assemblage.

'As seen in FIG. 2 the motor 38 is mounted on an upper surface 48 of the cart 40 and has its outputshaft connected to a'gear reducer 50. The gear reducer is, in turn, connected through overrunning clutches 52 of conventional construction to flexible shafts 54 which have one end retained in pillow block bearings 56 and their opposite ends terminating in quick-disconnect couplings 58 for connection to a portion of the moving mechanism for the washer 36 as will be seen in greater detail hereinafter.

For the purpose of securing the shafts 54 during movement of the cart, retaining brackets 60 having an opening through which the shafts 54 may be passed are mounted on the upper surface 48 of the cart 40.

The control panel 46 is secured to the upper surface 48 of the cart 40 and includes a pilot light 62 which is operated to indicate when the washing cycle is complete. Additionally, a pilot light 64 is connected in circuit with the motor 38 to indicate when the motor 38 is operating. Finally, a pilot light 66 is connected in circuit with a pump to be described hereinafter to indicate when the pump is operating.

A conventional fuse socket '68 is also mounted in the control panel 46 and includes a fuse to protect the various circuits. Additionally, there is provided a starting switch 70 which, when manipulated by an operator, will energize the system. There is also provided an emergency stop switch 72 which may be thrown to deenergize the system prematurely if the apparatus malfunctions and the malfunction is observed by the operator. Finally, there is provided a control means 74 comprising an instantaneous start-stop pushbutton for inching the motor 38 to provide small manually controlled adjustments in the position of the washing means 36 as desired. A conventional industrial timer 75 (FIG. 1) is connected in circuit with the motor 38 and the pumps (not shown in FIG. 2) to control the operation thereof. As mentioned previously, the motor 38 is of the reversible type and the arrangement of the motor 38 in conjunction with the industrial timer is such that the timer 75 will energize the motor in one direction for a preselected period of time to enable the latter to drive the washing means 36 from the lower extremity of the window to the upper extremity of the Window. Thereupomthe timer 75 automatically reverses thedirection of the motor to move thewashing means 36 downwardly until .it has reached its initial position at which time the cycle will becompleted and the pilot light 62 will be temporarily energized. v

The'industrial timer 75 additionally controls the operationof the various pumps that supply cleaning fluid to the washing means 36 and which withdraw spent cleaning solution from the window casement 34 as will be seen. r

U panel 46 for energization of the pump 86 as may be required by. the. industrial timer. Additionally, a flexible inlet conduit 90 whichmay be connected to the casement 34 toreceive dirty water therefrom is connected to the pump 86 so that the latter, when in operation, will pump dirty water in the conduit 90 into'the confines of the tank 82. Finally, the tank 82 is provided with an outlet drain valve 92 fordisch-arging the contents of the tank 82 Turning now to FIG. 3, a cleaning solution pump 94 is mounted within the tank '78 by any suitable means. The pump 94 has a cable which is connected to the control panel 46 for energization at such times as may be set on the industrial timer. Also mounted within the tank 78 is a hose reel, generally designated 96, which includes a reel 98 which is spring urged by means of a conventional spring mechanism 100 to wind up a flexible hose 102. One end of the hose 102 protrudes from the tank 78 to be connected to the window casement 34 in a manner that will be described hereinafter. The other end of the hose 102 on the reel 98 is connected to the pump 94 through a valve 104 which will normally be arranged in an open condition and which may be closed by removing the cover 80 and closing the valve 104. Thus, when the pump 94 is in operation, a cleaning solution will be conveyed to the hose 102 through the window casement 34 to the washer 36 in a manner to be described hereinafter. Additionally, an upright, anti-splash bafiie 106 may be arranged within the tank 78 to partially subdivide the same and thereby minimize the splashing of the cleaning solution when the cart 40 is moved from location to location. A similar baflle (not shown) may be arranged within the tank 82.

Window casement Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the construction of the window casement 34 will be described. Basically, the window casement 34 is comprised of a pair of upright channels 110 arranged on opposite sides of a pane 112 and a pair of horizontal channels, the upper horizontal channel being designated 114 and the lower horizontal channel being designated 116. The upright or vertical channels 110 are arranged to open inwardly toward the interior of the room while the upper horizontal channel 114 opens downwardly. The lower horizontal channel 116 opens upwardly and is provided with a removable cover 120 and a removable front panel 117 held in place by screws 118.

The pane 112 is mounted on the casement 34 by flange strips 122 which sandwich weather stripping 124 against the pane 112 and against framing strips 126 which in turn are secured to the casement 34. In the exemplary embodiment, screws 128 are used to connect the flange strips 122 and the framing strips 126.

The outermost legs of the channels 110 mount cover plates 130 which, in conjunction With the framing strips 126, support the window pane 112. It is to be noted that the innermost legs of the channels 110 are somewhat shorter than the outermost legs thereof so as to provide a relatively small opening 132 between the outermost ends of the flange strips 122 and the innermost legs of the channels 110. The purpose of the openings 132 will be explained in greater detail hereinafter. I

The cover 120 for the lower channel member 116 includes a downwardly turned flange 134 adapted to be located exteriorly of the window and an upwardly turned flange 136 (FIG. 6). Returning to FIG. 4, a small slot between the lowermost strip 122 and the innermostleg of the channel 116 runs along the entire width of the window and is provided to enable the cover 120 to be removed from the channel 116 from the interior 'of'the room in which the window is located. The upturned flange 136 is merely pivoted downwardly thereby lifting the downturned flange 134 away from the outer leg of the channel 116 which it overlaps. At this point,,theflange 136 may be drawn inwardly and the cover 120. will move through the slot 138 and may be easily manipulated to be withdrawn in its entirety from the slot 138,.At this point, the washing means 36 which, "it will be recalled, is normally stored in the channel 116, may be caused to operate to wash the window 112. p v

In order to insure positive retention of the cover 120, the lowermost framing strip 126 includes "a small elon-. gated slot 140 (FIGS. 6 and 7) therein while the upturned flange 136 of the cover 120 journals a lock member 142 that is coupled to an elongated latch 14 4 which is adapted to be received within the slot 140. Upon insertion of the latch 144 in the slot 140, the lock member 142 may be rotated a few degrees to thereby move the latch member 144 to a position where it will engage a solid portion of the framing strip 126 to thereby prevent withdrawal of the cover 120.

Moving mechanism Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the means for moving the washing means 36 to traverse the window for washing purposes will be described. Each of the vertical channels includes a pair of sheaves and 152' journalled therewithin. The sheave 150 is located at the upper end of the channel 110 and serves as an idler while the sheave 152 is located at the lower end of the channel 110 and serves as a driven sheave. Trained about the sheaves 150 and 152 is a belt 154 to which the washing means 36 is secured as will be described hereinafter.

To obtain positive driving of the belts 154, the sheaves, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, may include generally cylindrical surfaces having tooth-like projections 156 extending therefrom through apertures 158 in the belt 154.

The lowermost and driven sheaves 152 include coupling elements 160 which are adapted to be connected to the quick-disconnect coupling 58 on the flexible shafts 54. In order to provide access to the mating members 160, the cover plates 130 are provided with apertures 162 which are aligned with the axis rotation of the sheaves 152 so that the quick-disconnect couplings 58 may be inserted into the interior of the channels 110 for connection with the mating members 160.

Since the flexible shafts 54 are taken off on opposite ends of the output shaft of the gear reducer 50, it will be apparent that the belts 154 will be driven in opposite directions so that their adjacent runs will be moving in the same direction and at the same rate to produce uniform movement of the washing means 36 in its reciprocal path along the window.

Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the manner in which washing means 36 is secured to the belts 154 will be described. A mounting bracket includes a plurality of fingers 172 that are spaced apart a distance corresponding to the spacing between the apertures 158. As seen in FIG. 7, bolts 174 impale certain of the apertures 158 in the belt 154 and are threadingly received in an apertured plate 176 so that the fingers 172 are withdrawably received between the plate 176 and the belt 154 in engagement with pins 174a to maintain the bracket 170 in the paper orientation with respect to the belt so that the latter may drive the former.

Washing means The nature of the washing means 36 may be best understood in conjunction with FIGS. 10'-14. The washing means 36 comprises an elongated bar 180 which is shown in cross section inFIGS. 10 and 11. The bar 180 is of a sufficient length to span the entire width of the window and is connected to the brackets 170 on opposite sides of the window in a manner to be described hereinafter.

The bar 180 is mounted for limited pivotal movement about its longitudinal axis and includes a lowermost slot 182 in which a plurality of bristles 184 are mounted in any conventional manner to span the entire length of the bar 180. There is also provided an uppermost slot 186 in which an elongated rubber squeegee 188 is mounted. The squeegee188 is of sufficient length to span the entire width of the window.

Desirably, the lower slot 182 is dove-tailed as shown and the bristles 184 have their end enclosed in a complementary shaped sheet metal channel, 196 so that the resulting brush structure may be easily slid into or out of .the channel 182 to facilitate replacement thereof.

Between the lower slot 182 and the upper slot 186 there is located an intermediate slot 190 which receives a tubular insert 192. Apertures or jets 194 are located in the exposed side of the insert 192.

The ends of the tubular insert 192 are sealed in an suitable manner and approximately at the midpoint thereof, an enlarged opening 197 is formed therein to communicate with a bore 198 (FIG. 12) in the central portion of the bar 180. A fitting 200 communicates with the bore 198 and in turn, with a tube 202 which is clamped to the rear side of the bar 180 by means of U-shaped bracket 204. The tube 202 terminates in a forwardly extending portion 206 which is directed toward the interior of the room in which the window is located. As seen in FIG. 6, the lowermost channel 116, near one end thereof, is provided with an aperture 208. .When the cleaning means 36 is in its lowermost position within the channel 116, the forwardly extending end 206 of the, tube 202 will be aligned with the opening 208 and, the hose 102 from the reel 98 may be inserted through the opening 208 to be afiixed on the end 206 of the tube 202. In this way, fluid communication is established between the wash water pump 94 and the tubular insert 192 so that when the pump 94 is energized, cleansing water will be sprayed from the jets 194 against the surface of the window.

In order to insure even distribution of the sprayed water on the window, the jets 194 in the tubular insert 192 are preferably angled away from the center of the bar 180 as illustrated in FIG. 13. Thus, each spray of water will not only move toward the window but outwardly from the center of the window and the outward motion of the stream insures complete wetting of the window.

Washer mounting means The mounting means by which the bar 180 is mounted for movement with the belts 154 is best illustrated in FIGS. 8, 12, 13, 15 and 16. Since the mounting means for each end of the bar 180 is identical with a mirror image of the other, only one will be described.

Referring to FIG. 13, the bracket 170', which, it will be recalled, is secured to the belt 154 for movement therewith, extends forwardly from the belt 154 and includes an angular offset portion 210 which projects through the narrow space 132 between the innermost leg of the channels 110 and the face plate 130. Inwardly of the innermost leg of the channel 110 is a rearwardly extending portion 212 which terminates in a second offset portion 214. As viewed in FIGS. 12 and 15, the inwardly extending portion 214 includes a pair of apertures 216 and a vertically oriented slot 218. Finally, the bracket 170 includes another rearwardly extending portion 220 which includes an elongated slot which is, in effect, a continuation of the slot 218 although slightly narrower as illustrated in FIG. 16.

A stub shaft 222 is received within a bore 224 within the bar 180 and projects therefrom through the elon gated continuation of the slot 218 in the rearwardly extending portion 220. At the end of the stub shaft 222 is an aligning member 226 which has a height greater than the width of the continuation of the slot 218 and a forwardmost, pointed end 228 (FIGS. 15 and 16) which may project the vertically elongated portion of the slot 218.

A plate 230 to be described in gerater detail hereinafter is secured to the end of the bar 180 and a cam member 232, also to be described in greater detail hereinafter includes an elongated slot 234 through which the stub shaft 222 projects. A bias member 236 is interposed between the cam and the rearwardly extending portion 220 of the bracket 170 and as seen in FIG. 12, has a generally C-shape to form grooves 238 which receive the rearwardly extending portion 220 for slidable movement. The bias member 236 additionally includes outwardly extending lugs 240- (FIGS. 13' and 15) which mount springs 242 which are connected to apertures 216 in the bracket 170 so as to bias the bias member 236 toward the window.

flhev bias member 236 further includes a backing projection 244 which. abuts the back surface of the cam 232 thereby urging the same toward the window, and by virture of the stub shaft 222 passing through the slot 234 inthe cam 232, the stub shaft 222 and the bar 180 will also be spring biased toward the window.

I As a result of the just described construction, it will be apparent that the washing means 36 comprising the bar 180 is mounted for movement with each of the belts 154 and is spring urged toward the window.

As mentioned previously, washing means 36 is mounted for limited pivotal movement relative to the brackets between a first position wherein only the brush 184 is in contact with the window (see FIG. 10') and a second position wherein both the brush 184 and the squeegee 188 are in contact with the window (see FIG. 11). The manner in which the requisite pivotal mounting is accomplished is .best illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18.

The plate 230 includes an aperture 250 through which the shaft 222 projects. The plate 230 is additionally secured by any suitable means to the bar and mounts a screw 252 which is received in a small elongated slot 254 within the cam member 232. As mentioned previously, the cam member 232 includes an elongated slot 234, and, as seen in FIG. 17 and FIG. 18, the slot 234 is significantly longer than the slot 254. As a result, the shaft 222 is permitted a significantly greater degree of movement within the slot 234 than the pin 252 in the slot 254 such that the latter, in essence, defines a pivot axis for the plate 230 and thus the bar 180. However, since both slots 234 and 254 are elongated, the cam 232 tends to float somewhat on the shaft 222.

The-plate 230 includes a small notch 256 in its periphery which is adapted to receive a pointed projection 258 on the lower surface of the cam 232. Additionally, a second notch 260 is provided in the plate 230 and a corresponding projection 262 is located on the upper edge of the cam 232. 1

When the drive means including the belts 154 are operated to move the washing means 36 upwardly on the window, the plate 230 will be at the attitude added to and illustratedin FIG. 17 relative to the cam 232. On the other hand, when the belts 154 are moving the washing means 36 downwardly, the plate 230 will be in the position shown in FIG. 18. Comparison of FIGS. 17 and 18 with FIGS. 10 and 11 will illustrate the corresponding orientations of the'brush 184 and the squeegee 188 with respect to the window.

Returning now to FIGS. 10 .and 11, at the upper portion of the casement 34 and within the channel 114, there are mounted downwardly projecting stops 264 which are adapted to abut the upper surface of the corresponding one of the cams 232 Similarly, within the lower channel 116 are located correspondingly upwardly projecting stops 266 which are adapted to abut the under surface of the cams 232. I

In operation if it is assumed that the washing means 36 are in the position illustrated in FIG. 10. such that the plates 230 are in the position illustrated in FIG. 17, up ward movement of the bar 180 will cause the cams 232 to abut the stops 264. Because of the floating mount of the earn 232 on the shafts 222, it will be apparent that while the cam 232 will not .be permitted to rise further, the shafts 222 will continue to move upwardly. Suchcons tinned upward movement of the shafts222 will, of course, cause continued upward movement of the bar 180 as well as the plate 230, and thus, the screw 252 will move. upwardly within the slot 254: as will the shafts 222 within ,7 the slot 234. However, since the slot 254 is of shorter length than the slot 234, the screw 252 when it reaches the upper end of the slot 254 will be precluded from moving further While the shafts 222 will continue to move upwardly As a result, the plate. 230, and thus the bar 180, will pivotabout the screw 252 to the position illusv trated in'FIGf18. At this time, the projection 262wi1l enter the notch 260 to partially serve to maintain the plate 230 and thus the bar 180 in the position illustrated in FIG. 18. Assuming that the industrial timer is appropriately adjusted, the motor 38 will be reversed, and thus the belts 154 will be operative to move the brackets 170 and thus the shafts 222 downwardly thereby causing the washingmeans 36 to traverse the window a second time. Because of the frictional force between the squeegee 188 and the brush 184 and the window 112 together with the retaining action of the projection 262 within the notch 260, the bar 180 will be held at the attitude illustrated in FIG. 11 to cause both the squeegee 188 and the brush 184 to be in contact with the window.

Near the lowermost point of travel of the washing means 36, the cams 232 will engage the stops 266 and again, because of the floating action, the cams 232 will not be permitted to move further but the shafts 222 will continue to move further downwardly. Such continued downward movement of the shafts 222 will act in an identical manner as that set forth above to cause the plate 230 to be returned to the position illustrated in- FIG. 17 in readiness for a subsequent washing cycle.

Protecting the brush and squeegee In order to insure that the entire window is clean without leaving unwashed areas near the margins of the pane 112, it is necessary that the brush 184 and squeegee 188 be in contact with the pane along its entire length. However, because the squeegee 188 and the brush 184 must be separated by a finite distance, it will be apparent then that at the upper end of the casement the squeegee 188 must be moved past the upper end of the Window 112 in order that the brush 184 can be moved to the upper margin while at the lower end of the casement 34, the brush 184 must be moved past the lower margin in order that the squeegee 188 may reach the lower margin. In the latter case, since the washing means 36 is stored within the lower channel 116, the movement is easily accomplished. For that matter, the appropriate movement at the upper end of the traverse of the window is easily accommodated by proper dimensioning of the drive means including the belts 154. But because of the very nature of a squeegee, it will be apparent that if the squeegee 188 is dragged across mounting means for the windowpane, it may be scratched or scored such that it cannot perform its intended function without leaving streaks or the like. Thus,

, means are provided to cam the washing means 3-6 away from the window at both the upper and lower ends of its path of travel against the bias of the springs 242 to preclude damage to the squeegee 188. As viewed in .FIG. 10,- cam surfaces 268 are provided and oriented within the upper channel 114 so as to engage the cams 232 when the latter have almost reached the uppermost point in their path of travel. The action of the cam surfaces 268 moves the cams 232 away from the window and such movement is transmitted by the edge of the slots 234 to the shafts 222 thereby moving the bar 180 away from the window. Preferably, the movement is just suflicient to insure that the squeegee 188 will be moved sufliciently away from the frame members including the upper channel'114 while leaving the brush 184 in contact with the pane as indicated in dotted lines in FIG. 10.

Similar cam surfaces 270 are located within the lower channel 116 to abut cams 232 in the same manner. Preferably, the cam surfaces. 270 are located such that the squeegee 188 will be in virtual contact with the lowermost flange strip 122 before it is moved outwardly and away therefrom.

Casement drain Because wash water will be directed by the jets 194 against the window, and such water will trickle downwardly'into the channel 116, it is desirable to provide some sort of drain means for the channel 116. As seen inFIGS. and 11, thelowermost surface of the channel 116 is provided with a diagonally sloped surface 272 and, as seen in FIG. 15, a drain pipe 274 comrnunicates with a lowermost point of the sloping drain surface 272. If desired, the diagonally sloped surface 272 illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 could be replaced with a canted surface sloping downwardly toward the drain pipe 274. The drain pipe 274 includes an inwardly extending section 276 (FIG. 6) to which the conduit may be secured so that spent cleaning fluid will be directed to the spent cleaning fluid tank 82.

Where the lower end of the easement 34 is below the level of the tank 82, the dirty water pump 86 may be used to pump water from the easement to the tank 82.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the invention provides a window washing apparatus that permits the cleaning of the external surface of a window from within the room in which the window is located. It will also be appreciated that the construction is such as to normally hide the window Washing apparatus from view. It will be further recognized that the entire mechanism may be easily serviced from Within the confines of the room in which the window is located. In this respect, removal of the panel 117 and face plates provides access to the moving mechanism including the belts 154 and to the washing means 36 when the latter is located in the lowermost channel 116 as will normally be the case.

Additionally, a window washing apparatus made according to the invention may be economically installed and it is a special feature of the invention that each window casement of a plurality of easements does not require the use of electrical Wiring for controlling the reversible motor 38. The industrial timer may be adjusted to run the motor in one direction for approximately the period of time required for the washing means 36 to traverse the windows and reverse the motor for the same period of time. Because the motor, which is used to wash a plurality of windows, is timer controlled, there need not be provided a special motor control circuit for each individual window.

The use of the industrial timer also permits an infinite of variety of washing cycles. For example, by properly programming the timer, the application of washing liquid to the window may be stopped at any time during the cycle and the length of the cycle may be adjusted appropriately for windows of varying size.

With respect to the use of the timer, the use of the overrunning clutches 52 permit the washing means 36 to stall at the end of a traverse at the window without damaging the driving means including the flexible shafts 54. Specifically, the clutches compensate for voltage variations that may have an effect on the speed of the motor 38, maladjustments of the timer and/or variations in the timing cycle of the timer due to tolerances. An extremely dirty window may cause a greater drag on the washing means 36 than a relatively clean window and the resultant increased drag will slow the motor 38 so that more time is required for a complete traverse of a dirty window. The overrunning clutches 52 permit adjustment of the timer for the longest possible cycle while precluding damage to the drive when the length of the cycle need not be as long as that set on the timer.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my inventions, it is to be understood that it is capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A window washing apparatus comprising:

' (a) an elongated supporting element constructed to extend across a window;

(b) brush means stationarily mounted on said ele- (e) means pivotally interconnecting said element to said mounting means for limited pivotal movement to and from a first position wherein said brush means alone will contact a window and a second position wherein both said brush means and said squeegee means will contact a window; and

I (f) means operative at the end of a first traverse of a window by said supporting element for pivoting the same from said first position to said second position.

2. The invention of claim 1 further including liquid dispensing means on said element located between said brush means and said squeegee means and means for reciprocating said element relative to a window.

3. The invention of claim 1 further including a quick disconnect drive coupling, said mounting means including motion transmitting means connected to a portion of said quick disconnect drive coupling; motor means drivingly connected to the remainder of said quick disconnect drive coupling; and portable support means mounting said motor means.

4. The invention of claim 1 further including liquid dispensing means on said element between said brush means and said squeegee means; a wheeled cart; motor means mounted on said cart and connectable to said mounting means to reciprocate said element relative to said window; a liquid supply tank on said cart for supplying a cleaning fluid to said liquid dispensing means; and means for connecting said liquid dispensing means to said supply tank.

5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said pivotal interconnecting means comprises a shaft pivotally connected to said mounting means and connected to said element, a cam pivotally connected to said element and having an elongated slot through which said shaft extends; said pivoting means including stop means adapted to be fixed to a window casement for engaging said cam at a point in the path of travel thereof; and means for driving said mounting means whereby when said cam engages said stop means, continued travel of said mounting means and said shaft will cause said element to pivot from one said position to the other said position about the axis of the pivotal connection between said cam and said element.

6. The window washing apparatus of claim 1 further including means operative at the end of a second traverse of a window by said supporting element for pivoting said supporting element from said second position to said first position whereby said supporting element is positioned in readiness for a subsequent washing cycle.

7. A window washing apparatus comprising:

(a) a window casement having a top wall, a bottom wall and two side walls;

(b) window washing means retained in one of said casement walls and adapted to be moved along said window casement;

(c) drive means permanently mounted in opposed ones of said casement walls and connected to said window cleaning means to move the same;

((1) a portable wheeled cart mounting a motor means and a liquid supply tank;

(e) quickly releasable and flexible motion transmitting means for connecting said motor means to said drive means; and

(f) quickly releasable and flexible conduit means for connecting said liquid supply tank to said window washing means.

8. The window washing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said window washing means is retained in said bottom wall and said bottom wall comprises an upwardly open channel; and a removable cover for said channel.

9. The window washing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said casement side walls are formed of channels and said drive means are permanently mounted in said channels.

10. The window washing apparatus of claim 7 wherein said one wall and said opposed walls are formed of channels, said window washing means being normally retained in one of said channels and said drive means being permanently mounted in the others of said channels.

11. A window including a permanently mounted Window washing apparatus comprising: a four sided window pane; mounting means for said pane including a pair of first channels on opposite sides of said pane, said channels each being arranged to provide a narrow opening along the length of the pane communicating with the interior of the respective first channel and a second channel opening along another side of said pane; reciprocal drive means mounted in each of said first channels each including a movable bracket having a mounting portion projecting through the corresponding one of said narrow openings; and elongated window washing element of a size to be wholly received in said second channel and movable to wash said pane; and means mounting said element between said bracket mounting portions, whereby said drive means are hidden from view within said first channels and said element may normally be hidden from view in said second channel but moved therefrom by said drive means to wash said pane, said window washing element mounting an elongated brush, an elongated squeegee and liquid dispensing means located between said brush and said squeegee.

12. The window and window washing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said bracket includes means for biasing said element toward said pane and cam means located in said second channel for camming said element away from said pane when said element enters said second channel to preclude damaging interference between said element and said mounting means.

13. The window and window washing apparatus of claim 11 wherein said element is mounted on said brackets for limited pivotal movement between a first position wherein only said brush will contact said pane and a second position wherein both said brush and said squeegee will contact said pane; and means on said mounting means for pivoting said element between said positions at opposite ends of said pane.

14. The window and window washingapparatus of claim 11 wherein said element includes liquid dispensing means; and a portable cart mounting a motor and a liquid supply tank having pump means associated therewith, a flexible shaft connected to said motor and connectable to said drive means, and a flexible conduit connected to said pump means and connectable to said liquid dispensing means.

15. A window washing apparatus comprising: a window pane; a window casement supporting said pane; window washing means supported by said casement and movable along said pane to wash the same; a wheeled cart; reversible motor means mounted on said cart for moving said washing means along said window; shaft means connectable to said washing means; an overrunning clutch interconnecting said shaft means and said motor means; and timing means for controlling the period of operation and the direction of said motor means.

16. The window washing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said shaft means is comprised of a flexible shaft having a quick disconnect coupling adapted to be connected to said window washing means.

17. The window washing apparatus of claim 15 wherein said window washing means comprises a washing element movable along said pane and a drive means for said element mounted on said casement.

18. The window washing apparatus of claim 17 wherein said casement comprises an at least partially hollow structure and said drive means are located within said hollow structure to be hidden from view.

19. A window washing apparatus for use in a high rise type of building having a plurality of windows in a wall thereof to clean the. exterior surface of the windows without requiring the disposition of personnel exteriorly of the building,,said apparatus comprising: at least one window casement supported by said wall; a window pane supported by said casement; washing means disposed exteriorly of said pane and movably supported by said casement, said washing means being capable of traversing 13 said pane to Wash the same; a portable base; motor means mounted on said base; and means for releasably and selectably connecting said motor means to said washing means to drive the latter along said pane to wash the same from a location interiorly of said pane so that said base may be moved within a building from window to Window to drive the window washing means associated with each window whereby a single motor means may be used in washing a plurality of windows.

20. A window washing apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said casement includes means movably mounting said washing means and means for providing access to said mounting means by said connecting means from said location interiorly of said pane.

21. A window washing apparatus according to claim 20 wherein said washing means may be disposed in a portion of said casement when not in use and said casement includes means movably mounting said Washing means; and removable cover means located on the interior portion of said casement for normally covering said mounting means and said washing means when the latter is disposed in said casement portion, said cover means, when removed, providing complete access to said washing means and said mounting means from the interior side of said casement to facilitate servicing of said apparatus.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,332,640 3/1920 Stanfield 15103 1,633,479 6/1927 De Rosa 15250.1 XR 1,662,887 3/1928 Harris 15103 2,693,609 11/1954 Briceno 15250.11XR 2,725,582 12/1955 Meyerofi 15-103 XR 2,940,110 6/ 1960 Neal 15-25004 3,292,196 12/ 1966 Windorf 15-250.19XR 3,344,454 10/1967 Mikalson 15-50 3,378,875 4/1968 Kern 15250.04

PETER FELDMAN, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

